NABC Statement on House Ag Committee’s Reconciliation Text
Folsom, CA, May 14, 2025 – North American Blueberry Council (NABC) President Kasey Cronquist issued the following statement reacting to the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s release of draft text per the House Budget Committee’s reconciliation instructions:
“NABC applauds Chairman G.T. Thompson and the House Agriculture Committee for its unwavering commitment over the past two years to advance a new farm bill that provides meaningful support to U.S. specialty crops. While we continue to strongly support passage of a bipartisan, comprehensive farm bill, we are encouraged by the committee’s release of budget reconciliation text that includes critical investments for our sector.
“We are especially grateful for the proposed funding for key programs that directly support the blueberry industry and other specialty crops. These include the Tree Assistance Program, crop insurance, the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Market Access Program. These investments are essential to maintaining the long-term viability and global competitiveness of American-grown blueberries.
“However, budget reconciliation alone cannot address many of the pressing needs of the specialty crop industry. A second bill is necessary to enact needed policy reforms, without which American family farms will remain at a disadvantage compared to foreign competitors operating with significantly lower production costs.
“NABC proudly joins over 150 organizations within the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance in urging Congress to advance a full, bipartisan farm bill. We remain committed to working closely with Chairman Thompson, Chairman John Boozman, and members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to ensure the specialty crop industry is fully supported across all legislative efforts.”
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About the North American Blueberry Council
Since 1965, the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) has been the voice of the blueberry industry in the U.S. and Canada. NABC was instrumental in the establishment of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Learn more at nabcblues.org.